- A
password required pam_pwhistory.so use_authtok
Why wrong: Enforces password history, not complexity.
- B
password required pam_unix.so
Why wrong: Handles password update but does not enforce complexity.
- C
password requisite pam_pwquality.so minlen=10 ucredit=1 dcredit=1
Enforces minimum length and requires uppercase and digit.
- D
auth required pam_faillock.so
Why wrong: Manages account lockout, not complexity.
- E
password requisite pam_pwquality.so enforce_for_root
Why wrong: Enforces for root, but missing complexity parameters.
Question 273 of 1,000
XK0-005 Security Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A Linux administrator needs to implement password complexity rules requiring at least one uppercase letter, one digit, and a minimum length of 10 characters. Which two PAM configuration entries would be used? (Choose TWO.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"least"Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
password requisite pam_pwquality.so minlen=10 ucredit=1 dcredit=1
Option C is correct because the `pam_pwquality.so` module enforces password complexity rules. The `minlen=10` parameter sets the minimum password length to 10 characters, `ucredit=1` requires at least one uppercase letter, and `dcredit=1` requires at least one digit. The `requisite` control ensures that if these checks fail, authentication is immediately denied without further processing.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
password required pam_pwhistory.so use_authtok
Why it's wrong here
Enforces password history, not complexity.
- ✗
password required pam_unix.so
Why it's wrong here
Handles password update but does not enforce complexity.
- ✓
password requisite pam_pwquality.so minlen=10 ucredit=1 dcredit=1
Why this is correct
Enforces minimum length and requires uppercase and digit.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "least", "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
auth required pam_faillock.so
Why it's wrong here
Manages account lockout, not complexity.
- ✗
password requisite pam_pwquality.so enforce_for_root
Why it's wrong here
Enforces for root, but missing complexity parameters.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between `pam_pwquality.so` (complexity) and `pam_pwhistory.so` (history), and candidates may confuse `auth` modules (like `pam_faillock.so`) with `password` modules, or forget that `pam_unix.so` does not enforce complexity rules.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `pam_pwquality.so` module (formerly part of `pam_cracklib`) evaluates password strength by checking character classes and length. The `ucredit` and `dcredit` parameters can be negative to require a minimum number of characters from that class, or positive (as here) to require at least one. The `requisite` control type is stricter than `required` — if the module fails, PAM immediately returns failure without running subsequent modules, which is typical for password quality checks to prevent weak passwords from being stored.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the XK0-005 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this XK0-005 question test?
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: password requisite pam_pwquality.so minlen=10 ucredit=1 dcredit=1 — Option C is correct because the `pam_pwquality.so` module enforces password complexity rules. The `minlen=10` parameter sets the minimum password length to 10 characters, `ucredit=1` requires at least one uppercase letter, and `dcredit=1` requires at least one digit. The `requisite` control ensures that if these checks fail, authentication is immediately denied without further processing.
What should I do if I get this XK0-005 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "least", "minimum / minimize". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This XK0-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the XK0-005 exam.
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